About

 Microtubules are major constituents of the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells and play a crucial role both during mitosis and in interphase cells. Today, it is clearly established that disturbances in the dynamics of microtubules contribute (i) to chromosomal instability, one of the major characteristics of tumor cells, (ii) to defects favoring tumor cells invasion, and (iii) to neurological disorders. Microtubules are the only molecular target of anticancer drugs of the class of taxanes (taxol) or periwinkle alkaloids (vinblastine). Furthermore, colchicine, which also targets the polymerization of microtubules, is used in the treatment of gout disease. Thus, a better understanding of the microtubule dynamics will make it possible to elucidate the links between defective organization of microtubules and certain diseases such as cancer and joint or neurodegenerative diseases. This theme also brings together biologists and physicists interested in studying the mechanical properties of microtubules, thus enriching this discipline with new intellectual and technical approaches.

In this context, the "France Microtubules Network" colloquium was created in 2013. It brings together French teams and laboratories interested in microtubules and organizes a symposium in odd years running alternately with the EMBO international symposium dedicated to in microtubule research. Previous editions of this colloquium took place in Marseille in 2013, Grenoble in 2015, Versailles in 2017 and Rennes in 2019, bringing together more than a hundred researchers, post-docs and students from more than 30 laboratories. The 2021 edition could not take place due to the pandemic.

The presentations are made in English, and an internationally renowned guest is invited to give a lecture (keynote lecture). This year, our guest will be Dr Anna AKHMANOVA (Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands), specialist in tubulin and microtubules. This congress also now attracts young researchers based abroad but who wish to collaborate with French teams working in the field of microtubules.